BARN Owls in Somerset have become online stars thanks to live footage shown via a webcam.
The webcam nest box, in East Somerset, is one of 335 boxes that are being put up in the county to increase the numbers of breeding barn owls as part of the Somerset Community Barn Owl Project by Somerset Wildlife Trust and The Hawk and Owl Trust.
A staggering 120,000 people have logged on this month to watch the cute owls nesting, including those in countries such as Honduras, Japan, Fiji, Russia and Brazil.
The Somerset Community Barn Owl project, funded by Viridor Credits Environmental Company, will have an additional 60 nest boxes installed around parishes including Corfe, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Ruishton and Comeytrowe.
Beth Jerrett, Somerset Wildlife Trust spokesman, said: “Barn owls survive and thrive in areas of rough grassland that can sustain good numbers of field voles and other small mammals for them to feed on.
“We’re asking people to support their recovery by giving to our ‘Love Somerset, Love Meadows’ appeal to increase the amount of grassland and meadow habitat in the county.”
For more information on the Love Somerset, Love Meadows project, and to see the nesting barn owls, visit somersetwildlife.org
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